A three-week trial of a new bike sharing scheme from Chinese company Ofo has been launched in Cambridge. According to Ofo’s spokesperson, the trial is to understand how the city uses the bikes, how far they travel, who uses them, where they are distributed and learn from that and gradually introduce bikes. The $2billion business has released 20 bikes on to the city streets from 20th of April as part of its first ever European venture. Operating in 81 cities, Ofo's bikes are hired through a smartphone app and can be picked up and dropped off without the need for a fixed docking station.

One current limitation of the Ofo scheme is that bikes cannot be found through its app and instead must be spotted locked to bike racks or street furniture. Once found users enter the bike's code in the app and will be sent its lock code. Cycles cost 50 pence for the first half hour's hire, but will be free throughout the three-week trial. Rides end once a user locks up the bike and signs out in the app. Phone GPS allows the company to track where the bikes have been left. If broken or incorrectly parked bikes are spotted, users can alert the company through the app or email. Local ground staff (10) have been deployed to maintain the bikes and support their distribution across Cambridge.